Our first home match proved to be another tough outing for the boys as we all start to climb the steep learning curve. Not only is division 1 proving to be a tough baptism for this new team, I hold my hands up as manager as I get to grips with the administrative side of things. An error on my part meant we were scrabbling around for a ref 1 hour before kick off. A massive thank you to Mark S for stepping up and ensuring the game could take place.

The archbishop's pitch was in good nick and thankfully it was a cooler day. We switched to a 4-4-2 formation: Phil in goal, Max p and Liam full-backs, Theo and Olly in central defence, Flynn left wing, Jamie right, Ethan and Max B centre mid, Sonny and Felix upfront.

Theo B, Daylee, and Jonny were all keen to come on from the bench.

The match started very even and with very few chances at either end in the first half. Defences on top, we looked comfortable at the back and dangerous on the break, but couldn't find a breakthrough. Holding an established team for nearly 40 minutes was a great achievement but Folkstone found a goal on 40 mins and added 2 and 3 soon afterwards.

Midway through the second half a great ball from right back Jamie set Jonny free and his pace drove him into the box where he was taken down. Penalty to Whitstable! Sonny had coolly taken his penalty in training on Thursday and stepped up to calmly slot home a deserved goal for us.

Folkstone rallied and added a couple of late goals to give the scoreline a flattering result. The Whitstable boys came off disappointed but certainly should be proud of their display in only our second match. We are all still finding our feet in this tough league and if we continue to work hard and play for each other until the final whistle we will soon see the rewards.

Yet again I would like to praise the boy's spirit, they never criticised each and whilst heads did drop a little they kept going to the end. Well played to Folkstone, who we meet again next Sunday in the cup.

Well done boys, we go again next week.

To misquote Nelson Mandela.... ''We may win, we may draw, but we never lose, we learn''

... let's finish with a song (to the theme of the Flinstones:

Yabba dabba doo
Folkstone, playing Folkstone

They're the team we have to play you see
From the town of Folkstone
Our home game is in Canterbury

Let's try to avoid another defeat
Through the courtesy of our two feet
Next time we play the Folkstone
We’ll have a yabba dabba doo time, score more goals time
We'll have a winning time

Folkstone, playing Folkstone
They're the team we have to play today
From the town of Folkstone
Let’s all put on a good display

Someday, maybe we will win the fight
Then that scoreline will sound right
Next time we play the Folkstone
We’ll have a yabba dabba doo time, score more goals time
We'll have a winning time
We'll have a winning time